Letter from Elisha Mitchell to Duncan Cameron, December 28,
1835: Electronic Edition.Mitchell, Elisha, 1793-1857Funding from the University Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill supported the electronic publication of this title.Text transcribed byBari HelmsImages scanned byBari HelmsText encoded byBrian DietzFirst Edition, 2005ca. 13KThe University Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, North Carolina2005

University of North Carolina Papers (#40005),
University Archives, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillLetter from Elisha Mitchell to Duncan Cameron,
December 28, 1835Elisha Mitchell4 pages, 5 page images1835Call number 40005 (University Archives, University
of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

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I inclose a letter I received yesterday from Dr Griscon of New
York, resident as it seems at this time in Philadelphia. On the third page
of the letter I have copied an advertisement that appeared in the last number of
the American Journal of Science and the Arts. On reading that I wrote to Dr. Griscon
asking of him information respecting the sum for which he would dispose of his
cabinet and the letter inclosed is his reply.

My title here is "Professor of Chemistry Mineralogy and Geology.["] The second of these sciences can
be taught only by means of specimens and for enabling the Professor to teach it
the University has made no purchases of minerals whatever. For the department
of Geology a purchase to the amount of fifteen dollars was made by Dr
Caldwell in Switzerland. The business has been carried on by means of such
specimens as we have been able to pick up or purchase for ourselves.

If the committee should not consider
themselves safe in making an appropriation for this object, I am so little
satisfied with our present means of instruction in this department, that, if
they will consent to devote the sum necessary for the purchase of Dr
Griscon's Cabinet or someother of equal
goodness to the supply of our wants in this particular I will most cheerfully
consent to have an amount equal to the interest of
the sum so employed deducted from my own salary — so that no
alteration should be made in the amount of ways and means actually at their
disposal

I should consider myself as sufficiently repaid by the superior precision and
accuracy given to my own knowledge and the advantages afforded the students.

Having resided in this city during the last 6 weeks, there has been some
delay in the attention which I should otherwise have paid to the contents of
thy letter.

My Cabinet of Minerals has been estimated to be worth, as minerals sell in this country, from 1500 to 1800$.
It contains many specimens of rare value, not merely from their rarity
& beauty but from their history. Many of them have the labels in the
autographs of Phillips, Haüy, Gay Lussac &c.

The lowest price that I have yet offered the collection at is
$1500. There have been hitherto but few applications, &
rather than keep it long on hand, I am willing to reduce the price to
$1250. This is as low as I should be willing to go at present,
& compared with the cost of one of the early cabinets purchased by
Yale
College & one by the College of Physicians & Surgeons of
New York
it is very low indeed. Should it not sell at this price, I may make a
further reduction in the course of of the Spring, especially as I am a
considerable sufferer by the recent calamitous fire in New York. I
should not be willing to break the collection unless there should eventually
be no other mode of disposing of it.

I am very respectfullythy friendJ. Griscom

My residence will be in Philadelphia during the winter.

Professor Griscom's Cabinet for sale

It contains 3000 specimens of all the common and many of the rare species. A
large proportion has been obtained during 20 years from eminent
mineralogists of Europe and America and labeled by their own hands. It is sufficient both
for private use and for practical instruction in any institution